Selected and Reviewed by Andrew Eales
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Hal Leonard’s popular Peaceful Piano Solos series has been a deserved success over the last few years. I reviewed the original series here, while Peaceful Christmas Piano Solos was reviewed here, and the recent Peaceful Jazz Piano Solos reviewed here.
Peaceful Pop Piano Solos has just joined this growing series, and makes an obvious and very welcome addition to the existing range. The publishers introduce it thus:
“Relax at the piano with this exceptional collection of satisfying and profoundly beautiful pieces to play.”
Quite a claim, but the book is an easy recommendation for those who have enjoyed previous titles, and to teenage and adult players looking for decent late intermediate arrangements of well known hit songs.
A Collection of 30 Pieces
Following the well-established series formula, there are 30 pieces included in the latest collection, and they are:
- All Of Me [John Legend]
- As It Was [Harry Styles]
- Blank Space [Taylor Swift]
- Bridge Over Troubled Water [Simon & Garfunkel]
- Chandelier [Sia]
- Chasing Cars [Snow Patrol]
- Despacito [Luis Fonsi ft. Daddy Yankee]
- Drivers License [Olivia Rodrigo]
- Fields Of Gold [Eva Cassidy]
- Glimpse of Us [Joji]
- Hallelujah [Leonard Cohen]
- If I Ain’t Got You [Alicia Keys]
- Imagine [John Lennon]
- I’m Yours [Jason Mraz]
- Just The Way You Are [Bruno Mars]
- Life On Mars? [David Bowie]
- Love Yourself [Justin Bieber]
- Lovely [Billie Eilish with Khalid]
- One Last Time [Ariana Grande]
- Perfect [Ed Sheeran]
- The Scientist [Coldplay]
- Shallow [from A Star Is Born]
- Someone Like You [Adele]
- Someone You Loved [Lewis Capaldi]
- A Thousand Years [Christina Perri]
- Unchained Melody [The Righteous Brothers]
- Wrecking Ball [Miley Cyrus arr. Stephan Moccio]
- Yesterday [The Beatles]
- Your Song [Elton John]
- You’re Beautiful [James Blunt]
Plenty of collections cross my desk these days, but here’s one which very quickly found its way to the music stand on my Nord Grand. Firing up my favourite “Amber Upright” piano, I was soon immersed in intimate renditions of these well-worn hits.
Whether they are “relaxing” as opposed to uplifting, nostalgic or inspiring is somewhat a moot point: the simple fact is that I loved playing these songs so much that before I knew it, the afternoon had passed and I had played the whole lot.
And the arrangements are generally good, well suited to late intermediate players at around UK Grade 5-6 level. According to the publishers,
“Some pieces have been transposed and simplified for ease of playing”.
That may be so, but as a more advanced player these renditions didn’t leave me disappointed, and as a teacher I can equally confirm that they are suitable for their target audience. This is clever stuff, and it’s a minor disappointment that the arrangers aren’t credited. Nevertheless, my compliments to the chef(s).
The Publication
The music book itself follows the precedents set by the previous titles in the series, which is to say that it’s essentially a budget affair, but with no less class than a more expensive range. The attractive, soft matt covers open to 104 pages printed on white paper. There are no frills, and aside from the contents page, the whole publication consists of the scores themselves.
I previously mentioned poor binding in relation to a review copy of a title in this series, but on this occasion the glue has done its job, and that despite considerable use during the review period, so I am happy with the product.
These are nicely engraved and printed, and with sufficient space and clarity to ensure they are a pleasure to play from. There are few expression marks, no pedalling or fingering. Nor do the song lyrics or chord symbols appear. But as solo piano scores for their target market, these are well produced professional scores, and represent excellent value.
Closing Thoughts
The Peaceful Piano Solos series continues to exceed expectations. These are hugely enjoyable collections, and Peaceful Pop Piano Solos is one of my favourites so far.
This is an unpretentious collection which perfectly hits its bullseye. To describe it, rather ambitiously, as an “exceptional collection of satisfying and profoundly beautiful pieces” proves surprisingly but largely accurate. Basically, I love this book!
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